Zhang Yang, the award-winning director of 1999's SHOWER, recreates the powerful story of Chinese actor Jia Hongsheng in the fascinating and thought-provoking QUITTING. Jia was a modestly successful breakout Chinese star in the late 1980s and early 1990s, appearing in such films as SUMMER EXPECTATIONS and SILVER SNAKE MURDERS as well as the award-winning and controversial FROZEN. In 1992, Jia starred in a stage production of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, directed by Zhang, and was introduced to heroin--which he embraced wholeheartedly. The dementia that stemmed from his addiction resulted in a closed-off existence in which there was room only for the Beatles song "Let It Be" and little else.

QUITTING is not a documentary; Zhang brings back all the principals, who play themselves. Thus, when Jia's parents retire early in order to move in with their son (and daughter) to take care of him, the pain and frustration is being relived for the screen scene by scene, making for an uncomfortable yet remarkable and original format in which to watch this family struggle to save a child yet again. This story of isolation and drugs is also a metaphor for what occurred during the cultural revolution in the 1980s and 1990s as Chinese youth experienced more of what the West has to offer, with all its bright high points and dark low valleys.

Theatrical Release: SEPTEMBER 13, 2002 (NY/LA)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Letterbox - 1.78
Widescreen - 1.78
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - Chinese
Additional Release Material:
Trailers
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection

Jia Hongsheng: Actor, QUITTING (2002)
Jia Fengsen: Actor, QUITTING (2002)
Chai Xiurong: Actor, QUITTING (2002)
Wang Tong: Chinese Actor
Shun Xing: Actor, QUITTING (2002)
An Bin: Actor, QUITTING (2002)
Li Jie: Actor, QUITTING (2002)

Zhang Yang: Director

Peter Loehr: Producer

Zhang Yang: Director
Huo Xin: Screenwriter

Zhang Yadong: Composer, QUITTING (2002)

"...Daring and complex....A probing and universal contemporary drama..."